Dallas gains reputation for harshness towards its homeless citizens

[shance]

Dallas Gaining reputation for its harshness towards its neediest Citizens

DALLAS - Panhandling banned. Shopping carts prohibited on city streets. The distribution of food to the homeless restricted to designated areas.

With a series of ordinances governing its growing homeless population, Dallas is gaining a reputation as a city uncharitable toward some of its neediest citizens.

The National Coalition for the Homeless recently ranked Dallas sixth among the Top 10 "meanest" cities in the country. No. 1 was Sarasota, Fla.


Dallas officials say they are trying to steer the homeless toward help and make the streets a little safer for them. But advocates for the estimated 9,000 homeless people in Dallas say the city is pursuing a harsh and pitiless policy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060309/ap_on_re_us/dallas_...

[Kerrytravelers]

1. Isn't it nice how we take care of one another.Wonder how many are vets?

[shance]

4. The Vets Hospital I believe was closed down ages ago, at least

I think it was.

I had a horse in White Rock and rode around the lake and that area where the hospital was. The hospital was in shambles then.

All very sad. I was born and raised in Dallas.

Something tells me Dallas died on November 22, 1963.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

8. There's a large VA facility in Lancaster (south of downtown Dallas)

I go there on a regular basis for my clinics and other treatments.

They're trying their best to wreck it from within, however. And I believe they are succeeding.

[w8liftinglady]

2. Doesn't surprise me-a bunch of heartless republican yuppies.

Dallas DUers excepted,of course :)

[snooper2]

3. I live in Dallas

And actually know a couple homeless people, who choose to be homeless and are true crack heads. They panhandle at a gas station across from a bar I go to, and have been staying at a abandoned building, with about 15 other people. This is a guy/girl homeless couple.

The girl used to be fairly decent looking, had a job, took care of her kid, etc., 5 years ago. That's before the crack kicked in. Now they are both a mess but say they are perfectly happy.

Just wanting to point out that all homeless people are not some poor soul who lost his/her job, house, and everything else and just need a hand up. Most of the ones I have come into contact with (at least in the Metroplex) are for the most part people who choose smoking the glass dick rather than being a productive citizen.

[neweurope]

6. Drug addicts are sick people. Poor people.

And people do not choose to be drug addicts.

-----------------------------

Remember Fallujah

Bush to The Hague!

[snooper2]

12. Well, come on down and I'll introduce you...

NT

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

7. Yeah. I remember a lot of kids in school who wanted to grow up

and be homeless drug addicts.


(Needless, but: :sarcasm: )

[Bluebear]

10. "people who choose smoking the glass dick"

Poetic. :eyes:

[Greyhound]

11. Why does the fact that you live in Dallas not surprise me?

[Ksec]

5. compassionate conservatism

Thats when you say "sorry" right before you shoot.

[smirkymonkey]

9. Gee, what a shock!

Land of the Nouveau Riche. Don't like to be reminded of where they came from, or where they'd still be if they hadn't gotten lucky.

[Greyhound]

13. kickin'

:kick: